Metaphysical meaning of Ahab (mbd)
Ahab, a'-hab (Heb.) -- father's brother; uncle.
a Son of Omri; became king of Israel after his father's death (I Kings 16:29-33); b A son of Kolaiah (Jer. 29:21-23) .
Meta. Error states of consciousness based on false intellectual reasoning, or the intellect that has dropped to the level of sense worship. Ahab married Jezebel, who represents the counterpart, in bodily sensations and desires, of the false intellectual concepts; she is the animal soul of unbridled passions and desires. When this union of forces takes place the whole man is involved in error.
Omri and Ahab passed away in the resurrection of man from this retrogression; the intellectual man cannot bear the coarser expressions of the senses. Jezebel met with a violent death; passion and appetite burn themselves out. Elijah destroys the prophets of Baal; the quickening, fiery word of Truth sets up its activity, revealing the higher principle of man's being and erasing the thoughts of error. Harmony in mind and in body results.
In I Kings 21:1-20, King Ahab represents the will dominated by covetousness. Inordinate acquisitiveness ruled the mind and took possession of the man. When this trait throws its influence over man he develops an insatiable desire to possess things. Ahab built himself a splendid summer palace and inlaid it with ivory. Extravagance grows: Ahab's palace of ivory must have additional gardens. The vineyard of Naboth best suited him, and it was acquired by foul means. Covetousness has no wisdom, and when a man gives up to its demands he does most foolish things to get possession of coveted objects. Seemingly subtle plans, like Jezebel's plan to have the innocent Naboth stoned to death, are always exposed eventually. There is no escape from justice. It overtakes men when they think that they are secure in ill-gotten gains, and they have to give up everything. The man who takes advantage of another's necessity to enrich himself must in due season restore fourfold, as did Zacch2us. Acquisitiveness is a legitimate faculty of the mind, but covetousness is a Judas. When acquisitiveness acts within the law it builds up the consciousness, but when it oversteps the law it is a destroyer.
Ahab and Omri represent discordant activities of the mind. Disregard of the laws of life draws the vital force of the organism away from the life center, and the life currents run low. This condition is called drought (I Kings 17).
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Preceding Entry: Agur
Following Entry: Aharah
